38th Rescue Squadron

38th Rescue Squadron
Active 14 November 1952 – 18 September 1957
30 June 1965 – 1 July 1971
1 July 1978 – 15 February 1996
1 May 2001 – present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Search and Rescue
Part of Air Combat Command
23d Air Force
347th Rescue Group
Garrison/HQ Moody Air Force Base
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V Device
Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
38th Rescue Squadron emblem (Approved 2 October 2001)[1]

The 38th Rescue Squadron (38 RQS) is part of the 347th Rescue Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It operates various fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft conducting search and rescue missions.

Mission

The 38 RQS trains, equips, and employs combat-ready pararescue and supporting personnel worldwide in support of U.S. national security interests and NASA. This squadron provides survivor contact, treatment, and extraction during combat rescue operations, and uses various fixed/rotary wing insertion/extraction assets and employs by any means available to provide combat and humanitarian search, rescue, and medical assistance in all environments.[2]

History

The 38th conducted search, rescue, and recovery in Japan and adjacent waters from 1952–1957 including supporting operations in Korea and adjacent waters from 1952–1953. It operated 14 search and rescue detachments in Vietnam and Thailand from, 1965–1971. The squadron provided light-lift helicopter operations east of the Mississippi River from 1978–1980. It also flew rescue helicopter operations in South Korea and adjacent waters from 1981–1995.[1]

Vietnam War

The 38th Air Rescue Squadron was activated on 30 June 1965 at Tan Son Nhut AB, Vietnam, and organized the next day to control detachments operating from bases in Vietnam and Thailand as follows:[1][3]

On 15 September 1965 two more detachments were organized:[6]

On 8 January 1966 the squadron was redesignated the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron as part of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service,[1] and assigned to the 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group.[5]

A further 4 detachments were later organised as follows:[4]

May 1967, the HH-3s and crews of Detachment 7 at Danang Air Base were reassigned to the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron and the detachment closed.

During 1969–70, with US involvement in Vietnam winding down, other Detachments were moved or disbanded as follows:[4]

On 1 July 1971 the entire 38th ARRS was inactivated. Local base rescue helicopters and their crews then became detachments of the parent unit, the 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group.[4]

Operations and Losses

Postwar service


Lineage

Assignments

  • 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group (1966–1971)
  • 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing (1978–1981)
  • 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing (1981–1989)
  • Air Rescue Service (1989–1993)
  • 51st Fighter Wing (1993–1996)
  • 347th Rescue Group (2001 – present)[1]

Stations

Aircraft Operated

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Bailey, Carl E. (March 16, 2015). "Factsheet 38 Rescue Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  2. 347 RQG Fact Sheet
  3. Tilford, Earl (1980). Search and Rescue in Southeast Asia 1961–1975. Office of Air Force History. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-4102-2264-0.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Tilford, p. 113.
  5. 1 2 3 Tilford, p. 75.
  6. Tilford, p. 70.
  7. "LCOL Willis Forby, Silver Star". Military Times.
  8. "CAPT Duane W Martin". The Virtual Wall.
  9. "CAPT George McKnight, Air Force Cross". Military Times.
  10. "Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger". National Museum of the US Air Force.
  11. "A2C Francis D Rice". The Virtual Wall.
  12. "2LT George H Bonnell". The Virtual Wall.
  13. "MAJ Lucius L Heiskell". The Virtual Wall.
  14. "COL Patrick H Wood". The Virtual Wall.
  15. "COL Richard A Kibbey". The Virtual Wall.
  16. "CMS Donald J Hall". The Virtual Wall.
  17. "CAPT David C Lindberg". The Virtual Wall.
  18. "SGT Jose G Abara". The Virtual Wall.
  19. "MAJ David H Pittard". The Virtual Wall.
  20. "CAPT Von Liebernecht". The Virtual Wall.
  21. "MAJ Donald R Brooks". The Virtual Wall.
  22. "SSGT Milard L Bledsoe". The Virtual Wall.
  23. "TSGT Emmett S Orr". The Virtual Wall.
  24. "TSGT Angel Luna". The Virtual Wall.
  25. "MAJ Warren K Davis". The Virtual Wall.
  26. "TSGT Harry Cohen". The Virtual Wall.

Bibliography

See also

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